Viva la Vida; PROs & CONs...

[cleancut]

First of all, let me introduce myself, as I'm new to this forum.
I've been living with Coldplay music since Parachutes day one. When I say "living", I really mean "living". I've been listening to Coldplay when I was sad or when I was happy. When I was home alone, or drinking with my friends. Parachutes was playing when I got laid for the first time (and when I was dumped for the first time). AROBTDH was an oasis when a closest member of family died. X&Y was a musical backrogund of a very turbulent and unstable part of my life. And most important, Coldplay was always, more or less, part of my work, that is inspiration for it. In other words; Coldplay was always my soundtrack of life...personal and professional. The songs were representing a state of mind I always tried to achieve. Powerful yet simple. Emotional but clean.

For the first time, when I heard (multiple times) "Viva La Vida", I felt deprived of Coldplay striving towards clean simplicity of a so called triology (according to Chris Martin). I guess, people change. Some faster, some slower. Nevertheless I feel this urge to express my PROs and (especially) CONs regarding "Viva La Vida", and its impact on me. I hope no one will be insulted, because this isn't my intention.


CONS:

- "Viva La Vida" is over-produced to the limits, if not further. Actually beautiful songs got somehow lost in it. X&Y was also a bigtime production, but it was produced with a great sense of detail and in a way to go with the songs.
I know, I've read it. It's supposed to be a new sound with this renaissance feeling to it. Well; it is. But, is new enough?

- This wish for a new sound made these nice songs sound almost kitsch. It's best noticable on "Lost", that is when "Lost - studio" and "Lost - acoustic" are comapared. It's a great song in acoustic version. One of the best Coldplay songs in my opinion. But, in studio versions it sounds like...well...too much of everything. There is also some guy on YouTube playing "Violet Hill" on piano. He presents this song much better than Coldplay with their studio version. Actually I have a feeling these songs were all written on piano and then deflowered by inappropriate overproduction.

- Another kitsch element (not to say more of them) is clearly visible in "Viva La Vida" itunes ad video. Shows too little with too much. I wonder who directed it, and did Coldplay approve!?

- Brian Eno. I'm not 100% sure, but I think he could be quite responsible too. There are few sections of a recording where Coldplay unmistakable sound just like U2. And those are the worst parts.

- Guitar solos. I think it is no secret that Jonny Buckland is no Hendrix/Satriani/Emmanuel or anyone in that league. Hearing him live proves it. He is good and works fine with Coldplay but he is not a solo material, as presented on "Viva la Vida". It just can't work right. Only a great guitar player can produce a great solo (and I don't mean something like Van Halen; beeing over the top). Vice versa; a not-so-good guitar player can never produce a great solo no matter what kind of distortions and effects he is using.


PROS:

- Masterful melodies.
- Powerful lyrics.
- Excellent composed songs (for piano).

__________________________________________________ _______________

Once again; I can only be subjective as I am, and I mean no harm.
Cheers.

[Tarkovsky2]

You have said very good thing, but in fact renaisance is also kitch in that sense, yes this coldplay isn/t getting smaller but bigger, and I think that in songs like lost or viva la vida they went too bigger and that resulted witch kitch, but the very good thing is that you can hear or taste life, that was renaussance about,very well review,bravo.

[Black Rose]

What's the album like in the loudness war?

[cleancut]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tarkovsky2;2378594
You have said very good thing, but in fact renaisance is also kitch in that sense, yes this coldplay isn/t getting smaller but bigger, and I think that in songs like lost or viva la vida they went too bigger and that resulted witch kitch, but the very good thing is that you can hear or taste life, that was renaussance about,very well review,bravo.

---

Thank you for a compliment. You cannot miss much if you say it from a heart (or is it maybe mind!?).
I think it is unappropriate to start a discussion over Renaissance as a cultural movement here, but I have to say that kitsch wasn't a concept nor intended result of Renaissance art and artists. I just don't see anything "big" or "bigger" in kitsch. Well...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by David Watts;2378595
What's the album like in the loudness war?

---

You mean regarding the ongoing discussion of master volume level of recordings?
I'm not sure. I think it is at aprox. same level as X&Y, but I'm not sure. Mayvbe a little louder now that you mentioned it. They are all too loud anyway these days. That's why God invented equalizers and volume control

[Tarkovsky2]

You know there is a story that when you enter louvre and you see such a perfect pieces of art and you think what is left to do,everything is done, you're in front of amazing beauty, but then you see small painting by sezan, and it's so small, and there is only a biscuit on it, and you keep lokking it and realize it's perfect,yes they should do the things less LOUD<BIG, but there is a sincerity,you got to search for it, but there is, and in X&Y there isn't,it's so heavy industrial album, here there are interesting things, time will tell,I don/t know what to think.According to bodriar kitsch is when something is too,tooo beautifull or ugly,there are plenty of kitsch in this,but also plenty of life!!!!

[ricardo]

I think this is an excellent review for those who don't like it. I agree with you only with the guitar solos but I personaly loved the album. It's so powerful and beautiful.

[cleancut]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tarkovsky2;2378762
You know there is a story...

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I see your point, and kitsch is a subject of many potential discussions. In my opinion it starts when too little is done using too much of something. And I think this is applicable when it comes to production of "Viva La Vida". I have a hard time accepting kitsch as art and accepting it as Coldplay's apparatus. Altough I must repeat; I find only production having a traces of kitsch. Not the songs in their basic form.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ricardo;2378795
I think this is an excellent review for those who don't like it. I agree with you only with the guitar solos but I personaly loved the album. It's so powerful and beautiful.

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I didn't say I dislike it completely. I'm a true fan and very hard to please. I can't really dislike it completely.

[Black Rose]

[ricardo]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cleancut;2378851

I didn't say I dislike it completely. I'm a true fan and very hard to please. I can't really dislike it completely.

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I mean one of the few smart non-favorable reviews.

[AmsterdamMan]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cleancut;2378511
First of all, let me introduce myself, as I'm new to this forum.
I've been living with Coldplay music since Parachutes day one. When I say "living", I really mean "living". I've been listening to Coldplay when I was sad or when I was happy. When I was home alone, or drinking with my friends. Parachutes was playing when I got laid for the first time (and when I was dumped for the first time). AROBTDH was an oasis when a closest member of family died. X&Y was a musical backrogund of a very turbulent and unstable part of my life. And most important, Coldplay was always, more or less, part of my work, that is inspiration for it. In other words; Coldplay was always my soundtrack of life...personal and professional. The songs were representing a state of mind I always tried to achieve. Powerful yet simple. Emotional but clean.

For the first time, when I heard (multiple times) "Viva La Vida", I felt deprived of Coldplay striving towards clean simplicity of a so called triology (according to Chris Martin). I guess, people change. Some faster, some slower. Nevertheless I feel this urge to express my PROs and (especially) CONs regarding "Viva La Vida", and its impact on me. I hope no one will be insulted, because this isn't my intention.


CONS:

- "Viva La Vida" is over-produced to the limits, if not further. Actually beautiful songs got somehow lost in it. X&Y was also a bigtime production, but it was produced with a great sense of detail and in a way to go with the songs.
I know, I've read it. It's supposed to be a new sound with this renaissance feeling to it. Well; it is. But, is new enough?

- This wish for a new sound made these nice songs sound almost kitsch. It's best noticable on "Lost", that is when "Lost - studio" and "Lost - acoustic" are comapared. It's a great song in acoustic version. One of the best Coldplay songs in my opinion. But, in studio versions it sounds like...well...too much of everything. There is also some guy on YouTube playing "Violet Hill" on piano. He presents this song much better than Coldplay with their studio version. Actually I have a feeling these songs were all written on piano and then deflowered by inappropriate overproduction.

- Another kitsch element (not to say more of them) is clearly visible in "Viva La Vida" itunes ad video. Shows too little with too much. I wonder who directed it, and did Coldplay approve!?

- Brian Eno. I'm not 100% sure, but I think he could be quite responsible too. There are few sections of a recording where Coldplay unmistakable sound just like U2. And those are the worst parts.

- Guitar solos. I think it is no secret that Jonny Buckland is no Hendrix/Satriani/Emmanuel or anyone in that league. Hearing him live proves it. He is good and works fine with Coldplay but he is not a solo material, as presented on "Viva la Vida". It just can't work right. Only a great guitar player can produce a great solo (and I don't mean something like Van Halen; beeing over the top). Vice versa; a not-so-good guitar player can never produce a great solo no matter what kind of distortions and effects he is using.


PROS:

- Masterful melodies.
- Powerful lyrics.
- Excellent composed songs (for piano).

__________________________________________________ _______________

Once again; I can only be subjective as I am, and I mean no harm.
Cheers.

---

I got flamed before on this forum trying to explain my feelings about this new album
or actually 7 leaked songs i found a few days ago no one believed.
while the whole album got leaked the same day.

To me this album is a failure because it doesnt have any personal touch to it for me
you know how "the scientist" probably made you cry because of its greatness
or the emotional feelings that such tracks triggered? Coldplay?
Maybe you cried on the Parachutes album because of its pure musical brilliance?

I Remember when Chris Martin wrote lyrics that seemed to go about your own life
and your current situation, how it gave hope or pleasure?

i still hear everyone in the crowd singing allong with FIX YOU
at the X&Y tour here at the gelderdome, now i dont see anyone singing allong with ANY of the tracks of Viva la vida maybe just Lost......wich is pretty basic and short

This Album made them sound like a regular Pop group for me
45 minutes of uninspiring violins and "fairytale lyrics" with minimal guitars just doesnt do it
And i hope they go back producing their songs with Ken Nelson from ROBTTH
because Brian Eno always made bands lose their true indentity (like U2).

Brian Eno is Coldplay's worst mistake he should just stick with producing house music.
i hope Coldplay one day will get back in my life with great songs
till then i see X&Y as the last good thing Coldplay did.

[Rouven]

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cleancut;2378511
First of all, let me introduce myself, as I'm new to this forum.
I've been living with Coldplay music since Parachutes day one. When I say "living", I really mean "living". I've been listening to Coldplay when I was sad or when I was happy. When I was home alone, or drinking with my friends. Parachutes was playing when I got laid for the first time (and when I was dumped for the first time). AROBTDH was an oasis when a closest member of family died. X&Y was a musical backrogund of a very turbulent and unstable part of my life. And most important, Coldplay was always, more or less, part of my work, that is inspiration for it. In other words; Coldplay was always my soundtrack of life...personal and professional. The songs were representing a state of mind I always tried to achieve. Powerful yet simple. Emotional but clean.

For the first time, when I heard (multiple times) "Viva La Vida", I felt deprived of Coldplay striving towards clean simplicity of a so called triology (according to Chris Martin). I guess, people change. Some faster, some slower. Nevertheless I feel this urge to express my PROs and (especially) CONs regarding "Viva La Vida", and its impact on me. I hope no one will be insulted, because this isn't my intention.


CONS:

- "Viva La Vida" is over-produced to the limits, if not further. Actually beautiful songs got somehow lost in it. X&Y was also a bigtime production, but it was produced with a great sense of detail and in a way to go with the songs.
I know, I've read it. It's supposed to be a new sound with this renaissance feeling to it. Well; it is. But, is new enough?

- This wish for a new sound made these nice songs sound almost kitsch. It's best noticable on "Lost", that is when "Lost - studio" and "Lost - acoustic" are comapared. It's a great song in acoustic version. One of the best Coldplay songs in my opinion. But, in studio versions it sounds like...well...too much of everything. There is also some guy on YouTube playing "Violet Hill" on piano. He presents this song much better than Coldplay with their studio version. Actually I have a feeling these songs were all written on piano and then deflowered by inappropriate overproduction.

- Another kitsch element (not to say more of them) is clearly visible in "Viva La Vida" itunes ad video. Shows too little with too much. I wonder who directed it, and did Coldplay approve!?

- Brian Eno. I'm not 100% sure, but I think he could be quite responsible too. There are few sections of a recording where Coldplay unmistakable sound just like U2. And those are the worst parts.

- Guitar solos. I think it is no secret that Jonny Buckland is no Hendrix/Satriani/Emmanuel or anyone in that league. Hearing him live proves it. He is good and works fine with Coldplay but he is not a solo material, as presented on "Viva la Vida". It just can't work right. Only a great guitar player can produce a great solo (and I don't mean something like Van Halen; beeing over the top). Vice versa; a not-so-good guitar player can never produce a great solo no matter what kind of distortions and effects he is using.


PROS:

- Masterful melodies.
- Powerful lyrics.
- Excellent composed songs (for piano).

__________________________________________________ _______________

Once again; I can only be subjective as I am, and I mean no harm.
Cheers.

---

Couldn't agree more!!!

[ThumbTrigger]

There is barely any guitar solos.

[TracieMorgan]

I don't agree with everything, some parts are dead-on though, even though I love the album 100%, in your review, but it was thoughtful and well written, and you didn't just say 'this song or that song sucks'. I enjoyed reading it. I'm not going to argue with it since as you said, it's all subjective anyway, but welcome to the forum and thanks for posting. I hope you stick around and enjoy the place!